自动封皮检测系统 毕业论文外文翻译.docVIP

自动封皮检测系统 Automatic envelope measuring system ABSTRACT A system for automatically measuring a clearance envelope about a path of travel in a specific embodiment includes a laser and a rotating reflector mounted on a moving vehicle for radially scanning the region around the path of travel in a direction generally perpendicular to the path of travel. A television camera is mounted on the vehicle and is responsive to light from the laser that has been reflected by objects located within the viewing field of the camera. The television camera is radially scanned and provides analog video signals representative of the radial distances between the reflector and the scanned objects. An analog video tape recorder is utilized to record on video tape the distance representative video signals together with binary codes or identification numbers identifying the camera radial scanning information. The video tape may be played at a central or home office where the distance representative analog video signals may be converted to digital computer compatible binary form for suitable processing and storing by the computer. AUTOMATIC ENVELOPE MEASURING SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to measuring systems and, more particularly, to systems for determining an envelope, such as a clearance or maximum cargo envelope, about a path of travel, for example, a section of railroad tracks. B. Description of the Prior Art A need exists for railroads to determine the maximum cargo size that may be transported on a railroad car along a section of railroad track or along a specific railroad route. This need particularly exists when it is desired to transport an oversize load on a railroad car. The clearance or maximum cargo envelope about the railroad track over a particular section or along an entire route must be known before an oversize load can be shipped without fear of damage. In the past, efficient, inexpensive and rapid syste